Thousands spent on BBC show parties

The Beeb spent around £46,000 in September on a bash for Merlin at one of London’s poshest restaurants.

According to figures obtained by Channel 4 News, more than 300 guests were treated to a night out at London’s Oxo Tower.

Members of the cast, which includes Anthony Head, 54, Richard Wilson, 72, and Katie McGrath, 26, plus BBC staff and members of the media partied the night away at the eaterie, where a meal for two costs more than £100.

A further £118,000 was spent on three other BBC1 drama launch events for Little Dorrit, No 1 Ladies Detective Agency and The Passion.

Union bosses and MPs blasted the Beeb for spending a fortune on parties when they are in the process of axing 1,800 staff and cutting the production of programmes by 10%.

The BBC claims it has a £2billion funding gap after being handed a lower than expected licence fee deal.

In its response to a Freedom of Information request from Channel 4 News, the BBC said such launch parties were standard and that it had already cut back the number.

It said: “We are careful about ensuring such events provide value for money and we only hold a small number based around our flagship programming.”

Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of broadcasting and media union Bectu, said: “I’m shocked, because at a time when the BBC has made staff redundant, it will seem strange to people in the organisation this level of money is being spent on launch parties.”

Lib Dem culture spokes-man Don Foster said: “Those people who pay their licence fee want that money to be spent on top quality broadcasting, not top quality parties.”

The BBC recently came under fire for splashing out £60,000-a-year on champagne, spending £250,000 on Christmas parties and £5million on taxis for programme guests.

And its 437-strong army of staff sent to cover the Beijing Olympics dwarved the 300-strong British athletes competing at the games.